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Eureka has a new police chief, Andy Mills takes oath

After three years, five months and approximately a 40-minute ceremony, Eureka has a permanent police chief.

"It’s been— it's been busy," Chief Andy Mills said.

Mills said it’s been a long process getting to this point, but he's ready to move forward.

"Now we start the hard we work,” Chief Mills said. “We start meeting with people, we start talking to people and finding out what the significant issues we want addressed and when they want them addressed."

Mills has been working along side former Chief Murl Harpham, learning the ins and outs of Humboldt’s largest city.

"I have a lot of feelings for the city and this department and I want to see it move forward and get better," Harpham said.

Harpham will return to being a captain, the position he held before taking over as chief in 2011 after Garr Neilsen was fired. In his time as chief, he said he’s learned that transparency is important and hopes Mills will bring that to the department.

“Stay honest, stay focused and have moral courage," Harpham said.

Elected officials also have high expectations for the former San Diego Police captain.

“It’s a beginning of a new era with the police department and for the city,” Eureka Mayor Frank Jager said. “We're expecting big things from Chief Mills and I think he's going to be the person who can deliver."

Jager adds it’s been a long time coming.

"We serve the community— the police department does and he recognizes that and I think you're going to see a big difference," Jager said.

As for Mills, he said he’s ready to take on the big responsibility.

"I’m just really happy to be here,” Mills said. “And watch out for Eureka PD, we're going to be doing some neat stuff."